William Perlman/The Star-Ledger(l to r) Boxers Alex "The Brick City Bullet" Perez and Zab "Super" Judah wave to the crowds of kids as Newark kicks off its 2010 Super Summer Initiative Nat Turner Park. Anchored by the Division of Recreational and Cultural Affairs' summer activities, "Super Summer" is a program initiated in 2006 to provide safe havens for youth and safety zones for the community.

NEWARK — As a kid, Newark City Councilman Darrin Sharif spent his summer on a bike that he would ride 'til supper time.

Now, many young people are only active in a virtual world. They ride skateboards, play basketball and football on gaming systems as they sit on their couch. As a result, they gain weight, and even become obese, the 48-year-old Central Ward councilman said.

To combat the obesity problem, Mayor Cory Booker, Sharif and other city officials today launched a summer program that would include basketball tournaments, music and movies in the park. This summer, it will also include health and nutrition programs.

"We have to get kids heart rates popping," said Sharif. "There’s too many chunky kids in Newark."

Since 2006, when the program began, it has been called the "Super Summer" program. But this year it will be called the "Super Healthy Summer."

Today, blow-up slides, pick-up basketball, raffles and children singing helped show campers from The Leaguers and other Newark children what this summer could be like.

"We all have to make sure the youth have positive things to do this summer," said Nathaniel Roberts, camp coordinator for The Leaguers’, one of the city’s largest nonprofit organizations. "We have to let kids know the streets are not an option."

The summer program has provided city kids with a refuge from the street and a host of activities to keep them healthy, which is increasingly important for city children. The Center for State Health Policy released statistics this year showing one in five of Newark’s children are obese. Forty-three percent of Newark boys are obese, compared to 32 percent nationally and 45 percent of girls, compared to 31 percent nationally.

Booker said his work as co-chair on First Lady Michelle Obama’s national task force, which is leading "Let’s Move!" — an effort to keep children active — inspired the new direction for this summer’s program.

As children frolicked today at Nat Turner Park, the hot day reminded Alex Perez of his childhood spent in Newark. Perez, better known as "The Brick City Bullet," told the children that anything they dream they can achieve, and not to let anyone tell them they can’t do something. Perez said he took up boxing to help provide a better life for himself and his family.

In front of the crowd overlooking the football field, Booker presented Perez and fellow boxer Zab "Super" Judah with proclamations from the city, showcasing them as success stories to Newark’s children. The boxers have separate matches Friday night at the Prudential Center.

Perez, who grew up in Baxter Terrace in Newark, owns a 46-3 record and will fight Vincent Arroyo. Judah will take on Armando Santa Cruz.

"It’s really a blessing for me to be invited to something like this," said Perez. "To see the kids all smiles, that’s the best part for me."